Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

Resilient Phillies

September 14, 2007

They were out-scored, 20-2, over two straight losses to the Rockies at home. Gloom seemed to be everywhere but the Phillies clubhouse.

Yesterday afternoon, the players were the same as other days, getting their uniforms on, kidding each other, doing interviews, nibbling on food. No tension, no gloom. Then, they went out and did what they’ve done all year, bounced back. This team certainly is resilient.

There was one one-on-one session going on during BP and again in the clubhouse by Jamie Moyer’s locker. Jamie, pitcher, coach, father-figure and friend, was talking with Geoff Geary, who has struggled this year out of the pen. Someone who spends time in the clubhouse, felt there was a different look in Geary’s eyes after that friendly exchange.

Geary went out, threw three scoreless innings as the Phillies overcame a 3-0 deficit before they came to bat. With the Padres’ loss, the Phillies are 1 ½ games out of the wild card sprint.

Kevin Roberts wrote in the Camden Courier-Post today, “You can’t count them out. They just won’t go away.”

In baseball, yesterday’s game is quickly replaced by another game. Now, the Phillies are in New York for a weekend series with the first-place Mets, who are 9-2 this month. Got to give them credit, they really bounced back from the Phillies’ four-game sweep the last week in August.

Shea Stadium will be a bee-hive as the Mets fans will be buzzing with revenge in mind. Should be fun.

Chart of the DayJimmy Rollins is leading the league in triples (17) and had one taken away last night by a bad call by the second base umpire. Cory Sullivan’s dive for a sinking line drive was ruled a catch but TV replays showed the ball clearly rolled out of his glove on to the ground. Charlie argued but to no avail.

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